Jardins dels Alemanys, Girona

Gardens in Girona

Jardins dels Alemanys, Girona
Jardins dels Alemanys, Girona
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Enfo

Tucked into Girona's Barri Vell beside the city walls, the Jardins dels Alemanys (the “German Gardens”) feel like a calm pause button in the middle of a medieval city. You're walking through layered history here-stone, shade, and fragments of old structures-yet it reads as effortlessly local: benches, quiet corners, and the soft hum of the old town just beyond the walls.

If you're doing a self-guided walking tour of Girona, this is one of the easiest “add-ons” with the highest payoff: a short detour that gives you fresh angles on the cathedral area and a natural link into the Passeig de la Muralla. It works equally well as a quick breather between major monuments or as a deliberate sunset stop when the old stone turns warmer and the crowds thin.

History and Significance of the Jardins dels Alemanys

The gardens take their name from the historic barracks site associated with German soldiers, and the setting still carries that “between eras” feeling-part landscaped garden, part fragment of Girona’s defensive past. The remains you see around you are tied to the long life of Girona’s fortifications and the strategic importance of this ridge line above the old town.

What makes this spot distinctive is how naturally the city's hard history and softer present-day Girona blend together. The gardens sit right by the wall walk, so in just a few minutes you can move from sheltered greenery to open viewpoints along the ramparts-exactly the kind of spatial contrast that makes Girona's old quarter so memorable on foot.

Things to See and Do in the Jardins dels Alemanys

Start by simply wandering the paths and looking for the “ruin-and-gseeenery” mix that defines the place: broken walls, steps, and little overlooks that feel almost accidental, as if you’ve discovered them rather than followed a sign. It’s a small area, but it rewards slow walking-especially if you like noticing texture, stonework, and the way Girona’s layers stack up in one frame.

Then use the gardens as your on-ramp to the city walls. From here, it's straightforward to connect to the Passeig de la Muralla for a short, scenic stretch-remembering that the best views tend to come from the moments when you stop moving and let your eyes trace the rooftops, church towers, and the old quarter's tight geometry.

If you’re travelling with a camera (or just a phone), aim for late afternoon or early evening for softer light and fewer harsh shadows on the stone. The gardens are also ideal for a short reset: a bench break, a snack, or a quiet moment before you head back into the busy lanes of the Barri Vell.

How to Get to the Jardins dels Alemanys

Most visitors reach the gardens on foot from Girona's historic centre, because the approach through the Barri Vell is part of the experience and pairs naturally with the cathedral, the Jewish Quarter, and the wall walk.

The nearest airport is Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO), with Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) as the main long-haul alternative; Girona is a common day-trip or overnight base from Barcelona. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Girona on Booking.com.

From Barcelona, the simplest option is the train to Girona station (including fast services), then a walk or short local connection into the Barri Vell to reach the wall-side entrances near the cathedral area. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.

If you're driving, Girona is well connected via the AP-7 corridor and regional routes; the easiest strategy is to park outside the tightest old-town streets and walk up into the historic quarter for the final stretch. If you are looking to rent a car in Spain I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Jardins dels Alemanys

  • Entrance fee: Free
  • Opening hours: (Summer) 1 June – 31 August: Daily: 08:00–23:00. (Winter) 1 September – 31 May: Daily: 08:00–21:00.
  • Official website: https://www.girona.cat/turisme/eng/monuments_muralla.php
  • Best time to visit: Late afternoon is ideal for gentler light and a calmer atmosphere, especially if you plan to continue onto the walls for viewpoints.
  • How long to spend: Allow 20-45 minutes for the gardens alone, or 60-90 minutes if you combine it with a scenic section of the wall walk.
  • Accessibility: Expect uneven surfaces and steps; it’s manageable for many visitors, but not ideal for wheels in certain sections.
  • Facilities: This is a simple outdoor stop-bring water, and plan cafés/toilets in the Barri Vell before or after.

Where to Stay Close to the Jardins dels Alemanys

For a culture-heavy itinerary, base yourself in or just beside the Barri Vell so you can walk to the walls, cathedral, and the old lanes early and late; if your trip prioritises easy transport links and straightforward logistics, the Eixample area near the station can be a smarter base with simpler access.

If you want to be steps from the historic centre, Hotel Nord 1901 is a strong boutique-style option that keeps you close to the action without feeling hectic. Nearby, Hotel Ciutat de Girona sits in a prime, walk-everywhere location that suits short stays where you want Girona’s highlights at your doorstep.

If you prefer a slightly more “full-service city hotel” feel while still staying walkable to the old town, Hotel Gran Ultonia is a dependable choice and an easy launch point for both the Barri Vell and the newer parts of the city.

Is the Jardins dels Alemanys Worth Visiting?

Yes-especially if you like places that feel quietly authentic rather than “packaged.” It’s a small stop, but it’s one of Girona’s best for atmosphere-per-minute: shade, stone, and viewpoints that naturally fold into a wall walk or a cathedral-area loop.

Honest pivot: if you're rushing through Girona and only want the headline sights, you can skip the gardens themselves and prioritise the cathedral area and one good viewpoint on the walls. Likewise, if steps and uneven surfaces are a dealbreaker, you may find the surrounding old town lanes and more accessible viewpoints a better use of time.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (238)

Reviewers describe Jardins del Alemanys as a quiet, scenic public garden near Girona Cathedral with benches, shade, and pleasant spots to relax or picnic. A major highlight is the convenient access to the old city walls and occasional viewpoints (including a climbable tower) with city views. Several note that while parts are well kept, other areas—especially higher sections with ruins—feel less maintained and could use more care.

Nanita
9 months ago
"The Jardins del Alemanys are public gardens located near the Girona Cathedral. The start of the historic defensive walls of Girona can also beaccessed from here too. Benches are spread around allowing guests a chance to rest and enjoy the surroundings...."
Adrian M
4 years ago
"A small, quiet garden that's adjacent to the massive old walls of Girona (the walls being a must-visit). The garden's lower area has some benches andsections with maintained plants but as you go up it's less maintained with the ruins of an old "castle" of which there just seems to be fallen cement brick walls laying around. However, there's a bit of a view up there...."
Rosh B
6 years ago
"Must go. Scenic Roman ruins and amazing plants and gardens. Suggest grabbing a few snacks and having a small picnic there. Great views of town andgreat sunlight and benches. Very picturesque...."

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

This works well as a low-pressure break between bigger “must-sees,” because it’s outdoors and naturally encourages wandering rather than strict museum-style attention. Make it a mini-adventure: “find the best viewpoint” or “spot the oldest-looking stones,” then reward everyone with a snack stop back in the Barri Vell.

Keep expectations aligned: it’s not a playground destination, and some areas have steps and edges that need basic supervision. If you pair it with a short, safe section of the walls, it becomes a tidy family-friendly loop that feels like you’ve “done something” without over-committing.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

The gardens are at their best when you treat them as a pause rather than a checklist item-slow walking, quiet corners, and that Girona magic of turning a corner and getting a view. It's an easy add-on before a long lunch or as a gentle pre-dinner stroll when the old town starts to glow.

For romance value, link it with a short walls segment for photos, then drift down into the lanes for tapas or wine. The contrast-peace up by the walls, buzz down in the streets-makes the outing feel more intentional than it actually is.

Budget Travelers

This is a high-value stop because it’s free, central, and pairs naturally with other free experiences like wandering the Barri Vell and choosing just one or two paid interiors. You can build a full, satisfying half-day loop around it without spending anything beyond food and coffee.

Use it strategically: visit early or late to dodge peak crowds, then focus your paid budget on one signature ticket (for example, a major interior you care about most). Girona rewards selective spending, and this spot helps you keep the day feeling rich even on a tight plan.

FAQs for Visiting Jardins dels Alemanys

Getting There

They sit in Girona’s Barri Vell beside the city walls, close to the cathedral area and the wall walk access points. A good way to think of them is as the “green pocket” built into the fortification zone.
Aim for the cathedral area, then follow signs or lanes leading up toward the walls; the gardens are naturally encountered as you move along that ridge. If you’re already in the Barri Vell, it’s usually a short climb rather than a long walk.
From the station, walk toward the old town and head up into the Barri Vell, then continue toward the cathedral/walls area. If you prefer to save energy for the climb, a short taxi or local bus connection to the old quarter edges can help.

Visiting Experience

If you only have a few minutes, treat it as a viewpoint-and-breathing-space stop and move on. If you can spare a little longer, the gardens become much more rewarding when you link them with a short walls segment.
In light rain, it can still be atmospheric-just watch your footing on stone and steps. In heavy rain or strong wind, you’ll likely enjoy Girona more at indoor sites and save the walls/gardens for a clearer window.
A simple loop is gardens → short walls walk → cathedral area → wander down through the Barri Vell lanes. This keeps the “up high views” and the “street-level charm” together in one compact circuit.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

Many walking routes through the Barri Vell naturally pass close to this area because it connects so well with the walls and cathedral zone. Even if it’s not a named “stop,” guides often use the surrounding viewpoints.
Independently is usually perfect because the space is intuitive and best enjoyed at your own pace. A guided tour becomes more valuable if you want deeper context on Girona’s fortifications and the old town’s layered history.

Photography

Yes-especially if you like contrasts: greenery against old stone, and framed views toward the historic skyline. It’s also a useful spot for candid travel photos because the pace naturally slows.
Late afternoon tends to flatter the stone and reduces harsh shadows, while early morning can feel calm and almost private. If you’re chasing “classic Girona views,” plan to step onto the walls as well.

Accessibility & Facilities

Some parts are manageable, but uneven paving and steps can be limiting, and the surrounding old quarter has slopes. If accessibility is a priority, plan a route that focuses on the most level approaches and choose viewpoints carefully.
It’s primarily an outdoor garden/walls-adjacent space, so facilities are limited. Plan to use cafés and public facilities in the nearby old town before you head up.

Nearby Attractions to the Jardins dels Alemanys

  • Girona Cathedral: The city's headline landmark, reached by steep steps and rewarded with a dramatic façade and old-town panoramas.
  • Passeig de la Muralla (City Walls Walk): A scenic rampart route with some of Girona's best viewpoints over rooftops and towers.
  • Basílica de Sant Feliu: A striking church with a strong presence in the old town and a great stop on a historic-core loop.
  • Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs): A compact, atmospheric Romanesque bathhouse-style site that's easy to pair with nearby lanes and monuments.
  • Jewish Quarter (Call) and Jewish History Museum area: One of Girona's most characterful districts, ideal for slow wandering and layered history.

The Jardins dels Alemanys appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Girona!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

(Summer) 1 June - 31 August: Daily: 08:00-23:00.

(Winter) 1 September - 31 May: Daily: 08:00-21:00.

Price:

Free

Address: Jardins dels Alemanys, Carrer de la Muralla, Girona, Spain
Girona: 1 km
Official Website

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